It is my sincere hope that you will share this story with everyone you know, not for sympathy but how you could possibly save a life, MAYBE YOUR OWN!
Monday, I was driving down Ashland Avenue on my way to an appointment, suddenly my body became so weak! My car was going all over the road, my cell phone dropped onto the floor and when I tried to pick it up, it weighed a ton. Looking quickly in my rear view mirror, I could see a car following behind, so I immediately pulled the car over to the side of the road thinking they would stop. WRONG! The JackAss flew on by!
I started to call my hubby but my fingers were so weak it took 3-4 times before I could actually push the keypad on my i-phone. Gary is a very soft spoken guy and after I told him I needed HELP, I never was sure he was actually on the other end of the phone. I quickly called one of my Prudential Summers REALTORS® office Team-mates, Vanessa Shipers. Vanessa has a strong voice and I heard her say, I AM ON THE WAY!"
With-in what seemed like seconds, My Friend arrived, she took one look at me half in the car and half out of the car and called 911. At her side was my hubby of 45 years, HE HAD HEARD MY PLEA FOR HELP, but was visibly shaken by what he saw, his wife had suffered a STROKE!
Most likely, we all know the warning signs of a Stroke, however, the victim themselves can not necessarily see what has happened. Especially to an active person in good health with the exception of a few joint aches and pains.
Stroke education for patients and families:
Published in the Saint Luke's Brain and stroke institute, is the following.
The symptoms of stroke can include numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body, confusion with speech or not able to speak normally, sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, sudden onset of dizziness or loss of balance, trouble with walking: and a sudden severe headache with no known cause. Many patients do not recognize their symptoms as a stroke and wait for long periods before calling 911 or seeking medical help.
St Lukes Brain & Stroke Institute diagnosed my Stroke as Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), sometimes called a mini-stroke. It resolves itself and leaves no noticeable symptoms or deficits. Having a TIA is a warning that a person is at risk for having a more serious stroke.
Today, one week later, I returned to my office of Prudential Summers REALTORS® Team-Mates and certainly was glad to see each and every one of them.
God was with me that day! I will always be grateful to Vanessa for Saving My Life by calling 911.
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